Aimon City!
This was a port city along the coast of the Kingdom of Danbres. Thanks to the prosperity of overseas trade, it had once boasted a freeman class of over ten thousand, its lights burning through the night, filled with an atmosphere of prosperity.
However, with the eruption of the overseas "Tide of Pirates" once more — especially after the entire Boddi Archipelago had been ransacked — maritime trade here had been severed entirely. Numerous bankrupt small merchants had even thrown themselves into the sea, and the city's prosperity had immediately withered.
Until this day, when a young man in grey robes arrived before the city gates.
"One copper for entry!"
Two guards, having stood watch here for years, had developed sharp eyes. Sensing that the young man before them was not to be trifled with, they didn't press the matter.
After paying the entry fee, the young man walked straight into Aimon City.
The streets were somewhat desolate, patrol guards visible everywhere — as a coastal port, there was always the theoretical possibility of pirate attacks, and the cowardly municipal officials and nobles had all been terrified by this latest Tide of Pirates, immediately tightening security. Many had probably fled inland altogether.
"I'll probably need to visit the Mercenary Guild too!"
After finding an inn and settling in, the young man pulled back his hood, revealing hair like brilliant gold curls and a refined, handsome face.
This was none other than Lin Lei. Having wrapped up all his affairs — particularly dumping a vast quantity of materials on Ernest and setting the gleefully dazed man to work on the basic construction of the mage tower — Lin Lei had openly departed from the Faolan Island port and sailed alone to the mainland.
Of course, his official pretext was travel and study, a mandatory course for any mage.
Tucked inside Lin Lei's robes was a letter of introduction from Ernest, which would grant him access to the Royal Capital's Mage Guild for a period of further study.
Lin Lei did indeed have this in mind for his trip. After all, Ernest had nothing left to teach him.
With the dimensional bag that Boruger had contributed, Lin Lei's travels had become far more convenient. Ten cubic meters was more than enough space — he had packed his tent, rations, and all other necessary supplies inside, saving himself a great deal of trouble.
Once ashore, Lin Lei melted into the river of passersby like a single drop of water vanishing into the current.
The situation was still sensitive, and he had no desire to invite unnecessary trouble.
Travel at a time like this was exceedingly troublesome. Without a freeman's certificate from the city hall or other official documents, one would inevitably be mistaken for a runaway tenant farmer or slave, condemned to spend the rest of one's life in prison or the mines.
Of course, if Lin Lei presented his noble credentials, every city would throw open its gates to him — but he was certainly not foolish enough to do that.
And if one possessed a mercenary certification, at least passage through most places would be unhindered — though one might receive cold stares from other garrison troops, since poorly-disciplined mercenaries had always been one of the biggest headaches for law enforcers.
The Mercenary Guild happened to sit right next to the Warrior's Guild, and the prerequisite for becoming a mercenary was first becoming a professional!
Of course, that wasn't particularly difficult. Any soldier who had trained for years, become proficient with several weapons, and accumulated a measure of combat experience could generally pass the exam for a first-rank warrior certification.
Lin Lei walked through the main gates of the Warrior's Guild, guarded by two burly warriors. Not far away stood temples of the God of Warriors and the God of War, and the guild even had resident priests from those temples on standby, providing healing for injuries — though, naturally, for a fee.
Standing behind the entire Warrior's Guild were several powerful deities. Without their overt and covert support, the guild could never have spread across the entire continent.
The guild was packed with people. After all, for many races, the warrior profession was the most common — it didn't require any particular talent.
"Is this your first time visiting, sir?"
Upon seeing Lin Lei enter, a serving girl came straight over to greet him, her gaze carrying a hint of curiosity.
Most warriors tended to be covered in bulky muscle, so someone with Lin Lei's appearance was quite a rare sight.
"Yes, I'd like to apply for the warrior examination!"
Although the Mage's Guild would have been a far better fit for Lin Lei — a mage would also receive considerably more respect — he was currently laying low to avoid trouble, so that was out of the question. He wouldn't do anything that might attract attention.
He didn't even intend to use the letter of introduction Ernest had given him.
"Right this way!"
The serving girl led Lin Lei directly to the second floor of the guild. Here, several small circles had formed, where warriors fought and sparred with one another. Though they used wooden swords, injuries still appeared from time to time.
That was where the priests, always standing by nearby, proved their worth.
"Please register first. Which rank of warrior would you like to be examined for?"
As if worried Lin Lei didn't understand — and perhaps on account of his appearance — the serving girl helpfully explained, "Our examinations are conducted through combat matching your skill level. You must withstand an opponent of equal rank or two opponents of lower rank for a period of time in order to pass. Injuries are actually quite common, and…"
"I appreciate the warning. I'll judge my own limits!"
Lin Lei approached a counter, swiftly filled in his information, and submitted the form.
"Let me see… Name: Lei! Age: 18! You wish to take the exam for fifth-rank warrior?"
Seated in the window alcove was a withered old man. He adjusted his spectacles and looked out at Lin Lei: "Young man, don't aim too high. A fifth-rank warrior can already utilize qi, and some have even mastered combat skills. Perhaps you should start by trying for third-rank..."
"What? You're choosing to test for fifth-rank warrior?"
The maid's face was a mask of surprise, her shriek even drawing a small crowd of onlookers.